Mayor Adams Addresses Safety Concerns at Community Meetings Amid Growing Upper West Side Homelessness Issues

Mayor Eric Adams held his 35th Community Conversation on Public Safety and Homelessness at the Goddard Riverside Community Center, where he addressed growing concerns about safety in the Upper West Side. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of resources in public housing and the treatment of Police Service Area 6 (PSA 6), urging for improved support and resource allocation to ensure a safer environment.

During the meeting, attendees highlighted specific issues such as inadequate lighting near schools and the rising presence of cannabis shops in the area. Residents voiced their fear of crime, citing experiences of harassment and encounters with emotionally disturbed individuals, which contribute to a feeling of unsafety in their neighborhoods (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=3241). The mayor acknowledged these issues and emphasized the city’s commitment to deploying resources effectively, including increasing foot patrols and strategically deploying new recruits in high-traffic areas like Broadway (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=2586).

Adams emphasized a comprehensive approach to safety that includes holding perpetrators accountable and improving mental health services. Residents urged the mayor to leverage his relationship with state officials to reopen mental health beds, which had been promised during previous campaigns (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=3241). Attendees expressed frustration at funding decisions that prioritized cameras and technology through participatory budgeting instead of direct city investment in safety measures (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=3889).

The meeting also highlighted concerns regarding the concentration of homeless shelters in the area and their management. Residents noted that many shelters housed individuals with no connection to the Upper West Side, exacerbating local issues related to safety and public health (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=2108). Participants questioned the city’s accountability measures for shelter placements, particularly in neighborhoods adjacent to schools, where illicit activities were reported (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=5218).

In conclusion, the mayor reassured attendees of his commitment to restoring safety across the city, including the Upper West Side. He indicated that community feedback would influence policy adjustments aimed at enhancing public safety and addressing the root problems contributing to the neighborhood’s challenges (Source: https://youtu.be/TiphmQiqSuM&t=2018).